Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest (UTCB) proudly hosted the second edition of the International Staff Training Week, which took place on 2-6 June, 2025. The event brought together experts from International Relations Centres and Erasmus+ offices across various European countries, including France, Spain, Cyprus, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovakia, Ireland, Germany, Poland, and Turkey.

Throughout the week, participants took part in sessions dedicated to strengthening international mobility and enhancing cooperation within European university alliances. The event served as an interactive platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing best practices, encouraging professional development, and optimising Erasmus+ strategies.

Key topics of the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) included:

  • Presentations of International Relations Office structures and Erasmus+ mobility statistics from participating universities.
  • A World Café session focused on diverse methods of attracting Erasmus+ funding in academic institutions.
  • Discussions on the benefits and challenges of BIPs coordinated by European university alliances.
  • A practical workshop on organising Blended Intensive Programmes.
  • Effective strategies for promoting Erasmus+ mobilities and networking sessions between UTCB representatives and international guests.
  • Exploration of cooperation opportunities through Erasmus+ KA2 strategic partnerships.
  • Case studies showcasing successful Erasmus+ projects, lessons learned, and solutions to common challenges.
  • Drafting a proposal for an Erasmus+ partnership project.

The opening session featured UTCB’s Rector, Professor Radu Văcăreanu, who presented the university’s history, its three campuses, study programmes, and international opportunities for students. He highlighted UTCB’s membership in the EU-CONEXUS European University Alliance, a consortium of nine universities, since 2019. Other speakers featured in the opening session included Adriana Sumanaru, Interim Head of UTCB’s International Relations Centre, and Ramona Diac, UTCB’s Institutional Erasmus+ Coordinator.

By organising this event, UTCB reaffirmed its commitment to the values of the Erasmus+ Programme, promoting international mobility and cultural exchange. The gathering facilitated the development of both professional and personal relationships among participants, laying the foundation for long-term academic partnerships.

In addition to academic activities, guests also had the opportunity to explore some of Bucharest’s most iconic landmarks, including the Palace of Parliament, the “Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum, and the Romanian Athenaeum.

Congratulations to all international colleagues who took part in this enriching experience, allowing International Staff Training Week to mark the beginning of meaningful and fruitful collaborations between partner universities.

Testimonials

“I was most impressed by the professional approach of the host, who took into account the variety of professions of the staff week participants and adapted the program to everyone, simultaneously achieving the common goals of development and dissemination. This diversity contributed to the exchange of experiences and networking between representatives of partner institutions. Overall, the experience is positive and the host is excellent, and this example of Staff Week should certainly be applied in my home institution as well”.

“The highlight for me was the possibility to meet in person most of my colleagues from the EU-CONEXUS alliance, and the opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas with them. Also, this was my first visit to Bucharest, and I really enjoyed my stay and the visit to the most prominent city sights”.

“We have shared our experience stemming from different institutions. Personally, I have learned a great deal about how the European University scheme works.”